I'm glad that my feedback was helpful! ♥️ And that my words regarding Lab Rat resonated with you.
I think your idea about making the team rescue MC but then not being immediately involved with recovery would work well here. The idea of shaping MC a bit more before meeting is very neat and allows the characters to get to know each other on more even footing. It also makes MC feel more like an individual instead of being so defined by what happened to them, if you get my meaning? And I must say I'd love to define a behavior issue like aggression for my MC. Also by sticking to the rescue you do still have the initial connection, which is a lot better than what I suggested. I definitely like the direction you're going here and am certain you could do something great with this story! 🫶🏻
And about the darker tones: I do enjoy heavy and serious topics involving trauma etc. but it's different when MC is currently in such a situation, I guess (though the kind of trauma also is an important factor, naturally). That's probably why Howl and Daddy was a Killer feel different as you noted. For example I could definitely enjoy a story with a MC with a SA past and read about the trauma that followed from it etc., but could never handle a MC that's currently trapped in the position of a SA victim. Just wanted to share some more thoughts on this, haha.
I'm all for an MC who comes with the risk for biting, lol.
I totally feel what you're saying on the trauma front. With Howl and DWAK, they're going from one trauma to another and not getting any reprieve or chance to heal even a little or develop a safe place. So when you read that, you might feel that - having no safe people or a way out. There really is a different vibe there. Guess this means MC in all stories now has justification for being a biter.












